Lousy weather for the West & South 24th May

[JennyLeez]

Metservice
Heavy rain for the west of the South Island also the Tararua Range and severe gales over parts of central and eastern New Zealand - both today and tomorrow. Cold outbreak Sunday with snow to low levels.

A slow moving front over the upper South Island is forecast to move over the North Island this evening. A strong, moist northwest flow ahead of this front is expected to bring further periods of heavy rain today from northern Westland up to western Nelson, with some spillover in the headwaters of northern Canterbury. A period of heavy rain is also expected on the Tararua Range today. Rainfalls of 60 to 110mm are forecast for these areas, with further heavy rain likely again on Sunday. People in these areas are advised that rivers are streams are likely to rise rapidly, and that slips and surface flooding are possible.

Northwest gales are expected over central parts of New Zealand both today and tomorrow, with severe gales likely from Canterbury up to Hawkes Bay south of Napier including Wellington. Damaging wind gusts of 120 to 150 km/h are possible in these areas this afternoon and evening (especially Wairarapa and the Wellington hills), and again during Sunday (especially in Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast). Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines, unsecured structures and possibly lift roofs as well as making driving hazardous.

Note, a significant cold outbreak is expected over southern New Zealand from Sunday afternoon. Snow is likely to fall to low levels Sunday night and may disrupt travel in parts of Southland and Otago, also over the Alpine Passes. For further information on snowfalls, refer to the Special Weather Advisory and Road Snow Warnings.

• Tweet